Kyle Larson defends Austin Dillon for making controversial move
Mar 3, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) is introduced before the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Austin Dillon received some criticism for his handling of a tight situation with 13 laps to go in Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but the driver he spun out actually stuck up for him.
Kyle Larson made a run at the lead with Sunday’s race coming down to the final laps, and opted to challenge Ryan Blaney with 13 to go. Dillon, who was a lap behind at the time, stayed up against the wall, forcing Larson to try to go between himself and Blaney to try to seize the lead. Larson wound up bumping into Blaney and spun out, putting himself out of contention.
KYLE LARSON SPINS RACING RYAN BLANEY FOR THE LEAD!
A restart with under 10 laps left on NBC coming up! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/VNyTXMRUci
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 27, 2024
Some felt that Dillon should have gotten himself out of the way to let the leaders jockey for first, but Larson actually defended him after the race.
“Austin did nothing wrong. I was hoping he’d see me coming and maybe give me the top knowing that I was running there, but he didn’t,” Larson said. “He kept running his line. There was a little bit of a hole and I thought that might be my opportunity to win.”
#NASCAR … Kyle Larson said Austin Dillon did nothing wrong when Larson tried to go between Dillon and Ryan Blaney for the lead before spinning. pic.twitter.com/KVDQPx14vr
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) October 27, 2024
Dillon effectively confirmed Larson’s suspicions, stating after the race that he had not even seen Larson coming up from behind.
“I was just holding my line against the wall. That was the one place I could just stay,” Dillon said. “I thought they’d turn right under me. I didn’t even know the 5 was coming, truthfully.”
Kyle Larson said Austin Dillon didn’t do anything wrong. Dillon said he held his line and didn’t know Larson was there (as Larson said he thought is what happened). pic.twitter.com/5x3BzAplmh
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 27, 2024
Larson was in dire need of a win but wound up finishing 13th. Tyler Reddick wound up overtaking Blaney on the last lap to win, locking himself into a berth in the winner-take-all final four.
Dillon’s controversial driving has made him plenty of enemies. On this day, at least, Larson was not one of them.